Great Women in PR. Eurasia
is an association of women leaders in the communication industry
Great Women in PR. Eurasia provides a comfortable and friendly environment where women can fully unleash and realize their potential in leadership and beyond.
We bring together over 700 women working in PR in the Eurasian region, which includes Russia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The geography of the association's experts is vast and continually expanding.
We help female PR professionals exchange ideas, experiences, update and enhance their professional knowledge and skills, and learn about trends and new technologies in the profession and beyond. Additionally, we create opportunities for expanding their networks, mutual support, and professional development.
We help female PR professionals exchange ideas, experiences, update and enhance their professional knowledge and skills, and learn about trends and new technologies in the profession and beyond. Additionally, we create opportunities for expanding their networks, mutual support, and professional development.
We support the expansion of the Eurasian PR community
and women's professional and personal growth.
with our own events, participation in major international forums and seminars.
including prominent PR experts, leading company managers, independent consultants, and experts in related fields.
in the Russian and international communication industry.
such as data networks, artificial intelligence, and the potential uses of the Metaverse.
expert coaching advice, a comfortable environment for discussion and career guidance.
Meetings
with leaders:
with leaders:
Adoption of the latest PR technologies and innovations,
Support for professionals within the community:
International development
Work on gender issues
COMMUNITY HISTORY
Over the last five years we have held more than 100 events
COMMUNITY HISTORY
Great Women in PR. Eurasia: stages of a long journey
2018
Established the Russian section of the international association Global Women in PR to enhance the professional competencies of the industry and support career development for women
2019
Conducted a research on gender stereotypes in the communications profession and worked to identify problems and limitations for women in PR industry in Russia
2020
GWPR Help - а program to support professionals during the COVID pandemic. Over 80 PR specialists applied for support, with community members having access to pro bono mentoring and over 100 communication job vacancies in the market.
2020 — 2021
The Impact Award - more than 100 projects from female PR professionals were nominated for the Award with an experienced jury selecting the winners after evaluating the effect on their business or the impact on people and communities.
2023
Transformation of the community into an independent organization, Great Women in PR. Eurasia, aims to expand the geography of presence. Today, the association is open for female PR professionals in Central Asia and Middle East.
Our events
January
- Developing an expert profile in LinkedIn
- Networking event in Dubai
February
- Web 3.0: Introduction
- Digital Prosecco in partnership with SidorinLab
- Networking event in Tbilisi
March
- Mindfullness in business
- March 8: body positivity and other aspects of the feminist agenda
April
- Breakfast with a female leader
- All about current advertising regulations for PR
- Wеb 3.0, Cultural industries in Metaverse
May
- Offsite event in Tbilisi
- "Design as soft power" meeting
- Work&life balance - meeting with a sexologist coach
June
- Discussion about ageism
- Wеb З.0: major players, market analysis
July
- Breakfast with a female leader
- Web 3.0: Digital fashion
August
- Discussion about PR and career development in related fields
September
Back to school: relevant communication tools
October
Offsite event in Dubai as a part of GITEX
November
Networking dinner as a part of the Web Summit
December
Christmas and New Year party
The main value of GWPR. Eurasia is its active and unique female leaders
- Irina EfanovaHead of Communications, AstraZeneca Russia & EurasiaCommunications Professional with 16+ years corporate communications experience. Irina’s track record includes roles with increasing responsibility primarily in international pharmaceutical business. Truly believes that strong tailored-designed communications strategy can help driving results for the organization.
- Oksana IonovaManaging Director of Infomost CommunicationsOksana has vast experience in corporate and financial communications and has worked with industry leaders in transport, aviation, telecommunications, FMCG, banking services, and energy. Responsible for implementing international PR programs, consulting in investor relations, communication support for IPO and other capital market transactions, as well as preparing annual sustainability reports. She is a candidate of sociological sciences and co-author of the textbook "Fundamentals of PR in Business." Oksana is also a member of the Expert Council of the Annual Reports Contest of the Moscow Exchange and the Expert Council of the Silver Archer award.
- Olga BondarevaHead of Social Selling agency ModumUp and the former Social Media Lead at Microsoft in Central and Eastern EuropeOlga's agency specializes in Social Selling and developing the personal profiles of company experts on social networks, helping them reach potential customers, partners and employees. She currently works with clients such as Yandex, SDEK, Softline, Ancor, and others.
- Natalia LaurierDirector of Corporate Relations and Sustainable Development at Multon Partners LLC (formerly Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia)Natalia has 17 years of professional experience in external relations in international pharmaceutical, media, and retail companies. She has risen through the ranks to become director of external relations for Russia and the CIS region. She was ranked second among retail GR directors in the TOP-1000 Russian Managers 2021 listing from Kommersant. She is a practicing specialist in family and child psychology, an associated coach of ICI, and a specialist in systemic and organizational consulting.
- Lilia GlazovaChairwoman of the Russia’s Association of Communications Consultancies (AKOS) and a member of the Executive Board of Russian Association of Public Relations (RASO)Lilia heads PR News, a leading company in the field of communication research. She is a laureate of professional awards and the author of the bestseller Why does a PR practitioner need a ruler? Recommendations for measuring communications.
Elena Dianova
Director of Public Relations at AbbVie in Russia and the CIS. Founder and co-leader of the Women's Leadership in Action Community, Culture Ambassador in the company.She has more than 18 years’ experience in communications for the healthcare market, FMCG and others in the fields of: Public Relations, marketing and brand communications, Culture & Change Management, employer-brand, corporate social responsibility, and patient advocacy. Some of the PR projects led by Elena have received various international PR-awards, including PRGN.
Throughout her career, she has also practiced psychology and coaching, and strongly believes in the power of developing people's potential and company culture as a tool for improving business effectiveness.
Founder and co-leader of the Women's Leadership in Action Community in Russia and a successful international mentoring program.Natalia Bucelnikova
Founder and CEO of Buman Media communication agency and Buman Global agencyNatalia has more than 15 years’ experience in international PR having lived and worked across Russia, Eastern Europe, the UK, Ireland and the USA. Natalia is a co-founder of the Russian branch of Global Women in PR and was named as one of the 25 innovators in PR across the EMEA according to the Holmes Report. Natalia was also shortlisted for the Woman in Marketing Awards.Anastasia Plyushcheva
Marketing and Sales Director at Sidorin Lab reputation agencyAnastasia is a specialist in online reputation management with international experience in the United States and Denmark. Anastasia has held leadership positions in PR and marketing since 2010 and manages teams of more than 25 people. She develops PR strategies and positions for major brands and media figures as well as being an organizer of large industry conferences such as Marketing Mort, PEKLO, Yet Another Automobile Conference (YAAC), Yet Another Bank Conference (YABC) and many more.- Irina SemenovaExternal Communications Manager at Unilever in Russia and BelarusIrina has more than 15 years of professional experience in communications for global healthcare and FMCG companies both in-house and as an external consultant with proven success in public relations strategies development and implementation across the markets. The CSR campaign driven by Irina for Avon Walk 2011 won European Excellence Awards in 2012 and HeadHunter Award.
- Kermen MandzhievaVice President of Strategic Communications and Brand at the international holding company "Segezha Group"An expert in strategic communications, consultant, and media/digital trainer for top executives. Kermen has 18 years of experience (including MegaFon, Moscow Government, international projects). She is ranked in the Top 3 Directors of Communications in Russia 2022 (Rissian Managers Association, Kommersant publishing house) and Top 100 Directors of Corporate Communications by Russian Association of Communication Directors and Corporate Publishing. She won the international award "Eventiada IPRA GWA" in 2021 in the "Launch of the Year" nomination for the effective IPO launch of Segezha Group, as well as Russian Association of Public Relations 2022 awards in the nomination of "Effective launch" for the communication strategy of the company's IPO and in the nomination of "For Top Executives" for building the reputation of the company's CEO and a unique brand. She has also been a winner of international awards such as "Proba Awards" and "Silver Archer" in different years.
- Ksenia StrozhevskayaPR Lead for Yandex PlusIn 2023, Ksenia joined Yandex as a PR Lead for Yandex Plus. Prior to that, she served as a PR consultant, providing strategic communication support in international media for tech companies and startups in sectors such as FoodTech, AgriTech, EdTech, etc. Ksenia has worked for global brands such as KFC and DiDi. As part of their PR teams, she developed and led the implementation of PR strategies, and managed press offices for the Russian market at DiDi, as well as for Russia and the CIS at KFC. Earlier, she worked as an account manager at PR agencies, leading FMCG brands. In 2020, Ksenia was shortlisted for the Impact Award by Global Women in PR.
- Arina FlyugovaCorporate Affairs Operations Manager, HEINEKENArina Flyugova is a seasoned communications professional. Currently leading Corporate Affairs global operations at HEINEKEN, she brings a results-oriented approach to corporate and social agenda initiatives. Before joining the head office, Arina was working as Corporate Communications manager in HEINEKEN Russia. Prior to joining the company, Arina served in various roles within the United Nations for more than 10 years.
Known for her collaborative nature and strategic mindset, Arina excels in building partnerships both within and outside organizations. Residing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband and two children, she enjoys exploring languages, intercultural communications, and fostering inclusion and diversity as an internal ambassador.
Founders of Great Women in PR. Eurasia
Co-founder of the Russian branch of the Great Women in PR association. Eurasia
Сo-founder of Great Women in PR. Eurasia
Co-founder of the Russian branch of the Great Women in PR association. Eurasia
Evgenia Skobeleva
Since 2005, Evgenia has been working at GREATIVE agency (formerly Grayling), specializing in project management and strategic consulting for major foreign and Russian companies. Under Evgenia's leadership, the GRЕATIVE agency has formed one of the strongest team practices in the Russian communications market. The agency has been nominated and awarded numerous professional prizes in Russia and abroad, and in 2021, it was recognized as the best agency in Russia and the CIS according to the SABRE Awards.
With over 20 years of experience in team management in the field of strategic communication consulting, corporate and product PR, and the development and implementation of creative and crisis campaigns, Evgenia has worked with clients such as Yandex, Mail.Ru, Megafon, VTB, S7, Tinkoff, eBay, Netflix, Uber, Ford, Intel, Henkel, and many others.
Irina Gushchina
Irina Gushchina has been working in PR and strategic corporate communications for over 20 years. She holds an MBA degree in Communication and Leadership from Quadriga University of Applied Sciences (Berlin, Germany) and is a member of the European Association of Communication Directors. In 2018, she co-founded the Russian chapter of the international association Global Women in PR, which was transformed into the independent professional association Great Women in PR. Eurasia in 2023.
Since November 2020, Irina has been serving as the PR Director at DiDi, the world's leading mobility technology platform, where she is responsible for shaping and implementing the company's communication strategy in Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Prior to joining DiDi, Irina held the position of PR Director for KFC in Russia, the CIS, Central, and Eastern Europe, Director of Communications for Uber in Russia and the CIS, and for over five years, headed the Public Relations Department of the Russian unit of one of the leading international healthcare companies, Abbott. She was also responsible for strategic communications and corporate social responsibility at Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer. Irina also worked in journalism and PR consulting for about six years, including at the international PR agency Edelman.
She is the winner of many professional awards, including Sabre Awards EMEA and IPRA Golden World Awards. Irina has been repeatedly included in the Top-Comm ratings (Association of Communication Directors and Corporate Media of Russia) and "Top-1000 Russian Managers" (Association of Managers and Publishing House "Kommersant"). She has been a long-time member of the jury for international professional awards such as the Digital Communication Awards (EU), Romanian PR Awards, and Silver Mercury.
Since November 2020, Irina has been serving as the PR Director at DiDi, the world's leading mobility technology platform, where she is responsible for shaping and implementing the company's communication strategy in Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Prior to joining DiDi, Irina held the position of PR Director for KFC in Russia, the CIS, Central, and Eastern Europe, Director of Communications for Uber in Russia and the CIS, and for over five years, headed the Public Relations Department of the Russian unit of one of the leading international healthcare companies, Abbott. She was also responsible for strategic communications and corporate social responsibility at Pfizer, the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer. Irina also worked in journalism and PR consulting for about six years, including at the international PR agency Edelman.
She is the winner of many professional awards, including Sabre Awards EMEA and IPRA Golden World Awards. Irina has been repeatedly included in the Top-Comm ratings (Association of Communication Directors and Corporate Media of Russia) and "Top-1000 Russian Managers" (Association of Managers and Publishing House "Kommersant"). She has been a long-time member of the jury for international professional awards such as the Digital Communication Awards (EU), Romanian PR Awards, and Silver Mercury.
Maria Erunova
Maria Erunova has been involved in the field of PR and brand marketing for over 15 years. In 2018, she co-founded the Russian branch of the international association Global Women in PR, which later transformed into an independent professional association called Great Women in PR. Eurasia in 2023.
For 9 years, Maria worked at OZON, which she considers her professional alma mater. She started at the company as a PR manager and progressed to the position of Director of Communications. Among her significant projects were the international PR campaign during fundraising, a series of regional events for the opening of OZON warehouses, and the establishment of an internal award.
Following her experience in communications at OZON, she became the Director of Brand Marketing at the online travel agency OZON.travel, specializing in selling of airline and railway tickets, where she led the company's first rebranding in 10 years.
Later, at Utkonos, Maria was responsible for communications, brand, and customer support. Expanding her role allowed her to consider the business processes in a more holistic way. She was one of the creators of an advertising campaign that was recognized as the most prominent in two years according to IPSOS data. She initiated the idea of rebranding with a focus on a younger audience and launched dozens of collaborations and special projects.
Maria Erunova has been featured multiple times in the "Top 1000 Russian Managers" ranking by the Association of Managers of Russia and "Kommersant" publishing house. She is also a jury member of the international professional award Silver Mercury.
She graduated from the Ural State University named after Gorky (now Ural Federal University) and studied at the London School of Public Relations and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Maria serves as a mentor in branding and communications for brand managers, PR specialists, and companies.